Jaelynn Abegg, a trans rights activist from Wichita, leads a group of around 50 people who used bathrooms Feb. 6, 2026, throughout the Statehouse to demonstrate what she called the absurdity of a state bathroom ban. The same law that includes the bathroom ban also invalidates driver’s licenses for transgender people. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — Transgender rights…
Shawn McClenny of Lilico’s Taverna // Photo by Jordan Baranowski Shawn McClenny has had quite the journey in the Kansas City hospitality scene. For decades, he’s worked different aspects of bars and restaurants, eventually operating his own string of nightlife spots near 119th Street and Metcalf, One Block South. With a few other openings and closings over the years—and a…
The Missouri House on Thursday passed a bill sponsored by state Rep. Brian Seitz, a Branson Republican, that would remove a sunset on the state’s law barring transgender athletes from competing according to their gender identity. He is shown speaking in a March 2025 House debate. // Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications The Missouri House passed a bill along party lines…
KC Sipps logo by Theodore Rosen Life in KC is pretty delicious. In fact, there is often so much going on that it can be hard to decide where to go and what to try. That’s where I come in. I’ve curated this weekly list of events, openings, deals, and celebrations to keep you in-the-know. Cheers! Something New News Bites:…
Tylosaurus, the state marine fossil, on display Feb. 24, 2026, at the Statehouse. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Another day, another message conveyed via whisper or discreet note. Did you know that Kansas GOP lawmakers really don’t like what leadership is making them do? Have you heard that they resent being pushed to vote for harmful bills? Another day, another stroll…
If you’ve been watching HBO Max’s medical drama The Pitt (and given that the show averages 12 million viewers per episode, those chances are pretty good), you may have noticed a new Andrew Bird song playing over the credits of the show’s sixth episode, which aired February 12. “Need Someone” was co-created with The Pitt’s composer, Gavin Brivik, a KC-area…
Art by Teddy Rosen This opinion investigation draws on input from LGBTQ+ activists and trans and gender-expansive sensitivity readers to ensure accuracy and supports those affected by restrictive policies on bathrooms and health care. Michael McGrady Jr is a columnist for The Pitch. After months of waiting, I now have access to over 900 pages of documents that outline the…
Lavender Studios is a community-driven creative space founded by Russ Hill: a digital creator, event coordinator, music maker, art collector, and community weaver. Over the past few years, Russ has transformed his house into a studio and meeting space, and the art community has taken off far beyond what he imagined. “Not only have we had some big names swing…
Varsity Club // Photo by Sarah Sipple Varsity Club / Disco Burger Being “a regular” somewhere is special. I hope you’re a regular somewhere. Maybe not a bar, but at least a coffee shop or neighborhood restaurant. It’s not like every single staff person knows me, but I do feel like a regular at Varsity Club. I’m sticking with my…
Courtesy Amazon Studios The relentless artistry of Paul McCartney withstands time. The man, once part of the most influential band ever, reinvents himself with Wings. At 83, the living legend still plays to concert halls with his songs resounding as ever. Self-confession from the younger generation: I first knew “Live and Let Die” from Shrek the Third…growing up in…
Large doll head by WOE “Weirdo,” an insult that gets thrown around like a frisbee on playgrounds and forums. Can people not enjoy their unique crafts, interests, and hobbies without being labeled? The World Oddities Expo offers an unjudgmental, traveling show where people can show off what gets an unfortunate name. Even when asked how it feels to have the…
Rep. Pat Proctor, a Leavenworth Republican who is running for Secretary of State, is promoting a slew of election-related legislation. He appears here on the House floor on Feb. 12, 2026, in Topeka. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — Kansas lawmakers could transform elections with a series of bills that squeeze advanced voting timelines, stamp out rare instances of…
Photo by Travis Young We take a listen to the latest local singles to hit Soundcloud, Spotify, Bandcamp, et al, and sum them up in one sentence. Simple enough? Here we go. Stephonne, “Bloody Mary” Not for nothing did Stephonne create a Spotify playlist called “fang bang,” full of music for “for good girls turned baddies who eat boys for…
ansas City Mavericks won 1-0 over the Wichita Thunder on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. The only goal of the game came from Bobo Carpenter, who scored the winner in overtime. With this win, the Mavericks have 11 straight victories in the ECHL, and 15 straight home wins. It was also Military Appreciation Night, with athletic wear to match. Our photographer…
Courtesy of Malek Azrael Local performer Tim Githumbi’s (or, DJ Skeme’s) music taste is all over the place—literally. The son of a preacher, Githumbi grew up in Kenya listening mostly to Christian and tribal music, a time he describes as isolated. In the 90s, he says he got more rebellious: then living in Alabama, he’d sneak out to watch MTV…
Courtney Nelson and Betsy Merckens of Station 3 Coffee Shop // Photo by Sarah Sipple Courtney Nelson and Betsy Merckens have two years of proof that family can successfully work together. For them, running Station 3 Coffee Shop in Shawnee, it comes down to having clearly defined roles, waiting until the time was right for both families, and remaining focused…
The Wombats. // photo by Daniel Fuchs The Wombats with Cigarettes @ Sunset The Truman Thursday, February 19 Touring in support of last year’s Oh! The Ocean album, Liverpool indie rockers the Wombats took to the stage of the Truman on Thursday, February 19. Roots rockers Cogarettes @ Sunset were there for support and our photographer Daniel Fuchs was there…
Just a little over 30 years ago in the middle of June 1996, the Replay Lounge in Lawrence played host to Replay-O-Rama, a two-day rock ‘n’ roll festival. From Friday, June 14, to Saturday, June 15, now-classic bands like Sons of Hercules, The Oblivians, Nashville Pussy, and Satan’s Pilgrims turned the club into a sweaty, beer-soaked pit of revelry. Further…
MUSE: A Soirée Celebrating Women in Food, Drink and the Arts returns to Kansas City on March 8 at The Guild and Paradise Garden Club. The event celebrates International Women’s Month and brings together a lineup of notable and up-and-coming female names in Kansas City’s culinary scene. Muse planners have thoughtfully paired these chefs and beverage professionals to create food…
Brandan and Hannah Griffin, the owners of New Material Books. // Courtesy of Hannah and Brandan Griffin In the post-industrial expanse of the West Bottoms, in a red brick fortress called the Livestock Exchange Building, is a sunlit seventh-floor bookseller tailored to the artists and poets of Kansas City. At 250 square feet, New Material Books is about the size…
KC Sipps logo by Theodore Rosen Life in KC is pretty delicious. In fact, there is often so much going on that it can be hard to decide where to go and what to try. That’s where I come in. I’ve curated this weekly list of events, openings, deals, and celebrations to keep you in-the-know. Cheers! Something New News Bites:…
Rep. Heather Meyer debates the “bathroom bill” that passed the House Feb. 18, 2026. She says it paints a “bullseye” on trans people. (Photo by Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — Kansans will soon be required to use the bathroom of their biological sex at birth in all government buildings after the House on Wednesday joined the Senate to override Gov….
You can’t put words on clipping. and it is a fool’s errand to try. The three-piece exists somewhere between wildly disparate spheres of influence. Early on, critics tried to lump them into the rarely used “horrorcore” tag, as their subject matter is often dark, disturbing, and on the narratively spooky side. But that genre is silly, and reductive, as is…
Dish & Drink KC logo by Theodore Rosen Tucked into Kansas City’s River Market neighborhood, Hung Vuong Market has long been a destination for cooks looking to expand their pantry. The large Asian grocery store is equal parts neighborhood staple and culinary treasure hunt, offering a wide selection of dry goods, fresh produce, meats, and specialty ingredients that are difficult…
